A POPULAR seafront rescue services day which is a major fundraiser for a rescue charity has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The seafront event, which is organised by BARB Search and Rescue, was due to take place on Sunday, August 30 and usually and takes place on Burnham-on-Sea's South Esplanade.

But due to the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions on large events the organisers decided it was 'in everyone's best interests' to cancel the event.

A spokesperson for BARB said: "As one of the community’s most popular summer events, it has been organised by BARB for over 15 years and is a major fundraiser for our small charity.

"Cancelling has been a hard decision, but it’s the right decision to protect safety.

"This is a big blow for us, not only in losing vital donations, but also in being unable to promote our work and communicate important beach safety messages."

The rescue charity, which is entirely funded by donations, said it has had 'a very tough year' due to the coronavirus pandemic and appealed for donations to help them to continue their lifesaving work.

"Due to Covid-19, BARB has also been unable to hold any other fundraising activities since March, so it has been a very tough year for our charity, which relies on donations to keep running," a BARB spokesperson added.

"Given this, we would be hugely grateful if you would consider making a donation to BARB viawww.justgiving.com/barb-jg to support our charity’s life-saving work along the Somerset coastline. Thank you."